Paper-box-covering machine



. (No Model.)

0. W. HOBBS. PAPER BOX COVERING MACHINE.

384. Patented July 9,1895

Zeb i. O a 1 5; o J am 1 Q #2. 7 5 H W 51 15 260 o F i U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

CLARENCE W. ones, oaL NN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO HIMSELE'RIOHARD SUGDEN, AND HARRY W. GODDARD, OF sPENoER,

MASSACHUSETTS.

PAP ER-BOX-COVERING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 542,384, dated July 9, 1895.

4 Application filedOotoher 10, 1892. Serial No. 448,319. (No model.)

paper-box machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the gum'box or trough,

containing paste or other adhesive material. Fig. 3 represents a sectional viewof the gumbox on line 3 3, Fig. 2, and showing the position of the weighted roll, which rides upon the paper Strip when allowed to fall by the lack of tension in the paper, thereby decreasing the angle between the paper-and the side of the gum-box. Fig. 4 is a detached view of the graduated guide-bar and gages by which the strip of paper is conducted to the gum roll. Fig. 5 is a side view of the gum-box, showing the position of the connected parts when thepaper strip is raised out of contact with the gum-roll; and Fig. 6 is a side view of the gum-box, showing the position of the weighted roll, which rides upon the paper strip when raised by the tension of the paper. Similar letters refer to similar parts in the different figures.

My invention relates to certain improvements in that class of machines for covering the outer surface of boxes with paper in which a continuous roll of paper supported by the framework of the machine is conducted across a gum-roll partially immersed in paste or ad hesive material, by which the adhesive material is applied to the surface of the paper in contact with the roll, the continuous strip of gummed or pasted paper being cut into suitable lengths by a shearing or cutting mechanism as it is drawn forward.

Machines of this class are shown in the Letters Patent of the United States Nos. 58,466

and 244,919, and my present invention con sists in certain improvements in the machines therein shown, and having for its object to semachine after it has left the gum-box, and also to provide means'for the uniform distribu- .tion of paste or gum upon the surface of the 'paper and for the more convenient manipulation of' the paper in its passage across the gum-roll.

upon the rod B in proper position to guide' the strip of paper B in alignment with the box to be covered.

The gum-box O is provided with lugs C and set-screws C by which the gum-box is adjustably supported upon the vertical rods A and rotating in bearings supported by the gum-box C is a gum-roll D, partially immersed in a solution of gum or paste contained in the gum-box.

E E denote levers pivoted at the side of the gum-box 0, having their free ends united by a rod E and provided with journal-bearings for a roll F. The rod E extends a short distance beyond the levers E E, so as to rest upon the upper edges of the gum-box O and Support the roll F in its normal position, with its lower side below the edge G of the gum box, so the strip of paper B as it is conducted between the rod E and the roll F and over the edge of the gum-box will be borne down by the weight of the roll F and levers E E and form an acute angle with the side G of the gum-box, as represented in Fig. 3.

Held by the framework of the machine at some distance below'the edge G of the gumneath the rod 11.

box is a rod I-I, beneath which the paper strip B passes to the boxheld upon the former I in the usual manner in machines of this class.

When the free end of the strip B has been applied to the box, as represented in Fig. 1, the strip is severed by shearing-blades J J, carried upon radial arms whichrotate about horizontal axes and are operated by a foot-treadle K and connecting-rod K, the motion of the cutting-blades being reversed by a spring K when the treadle K is released.

The former I consists of a block fitting the inside of the box to be covered and supported upon a post I, which is attached to a rod 1 held by the framework of the machine.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The continuous strip of paper B is conducted from the roll supported in the brackets B over the guide-rod B between the flanges 13 by which the lateral position of the paper is determined, over and in contact with the gum'roll D, between the rod E and roll F, and over the edge G of the gum-box and be- The box to be covered is placed upon a block or former I. The paper strip is then severed by the blades J cutting off a suitable length to cover the bottom of the box. Another box is then placed upon the former I and the operation repeated, the paper strip being successively drawn over the gum-roll D, by which the paste or other adhesive material is applied to the under side of the paper. The gummed surface of the paper is drawn over the edge G of the gum-box, which acts as a scraper to remove the surplus gum or paste, and the scraping action of the edge G is varied inversely to the angle included between the side G and the paper strip as it approaches the edge G. W'hen the paper strip is drawn slowly over the gumroll D the angle between the paper strip and the gum-box is reduced, as the paper strip is borne down by the roller F in the position shown in Fig. 3; but if the speed of the paper strip is suiiiciently increased its tension will cause the roll F to be raised and the angle to be increased, as represented in Fig.6, and the scraping action of the edge G automatically regulated. When necessary to raise the paper strip out of contact with the gumroll the levers E are raised into the position shown in Fig. 5 and supported by the inwardly-projecting spurs L L, Fig. 2, carrying the rod E over the roll D and supporting the paper strip out of contact with the gumroll. For the purpose of adjusting the paper strip in its passage over the gum-roll, so as to bring it readily'into alignment with the paper box held upon the former, I provide the guide-rod B with an index-mark M in the same vertical plane as the center of the former I, and I graduate the guide-rod B from the index-mark M toward the ends of the rod, thereby enabling the disks B to be placed in the exact position necessary to bring the paper strip B in proper alignment with the box to be covered. For example, if the paper strip B is four inches in width the disks B are attached to the guide-rod B four inches apart and each two inches from the index mark M, which will bring the center of the paper strip in alignment with the center of the box.

The gum-box C is vertically adjustable upon the rods A so as to increase the distance between the edge G and the rod H sufficiently to allow the paper to become tempered, or the gummed paper be brought into proper condition to be applied to the surface of the box, it having been found in practice to be advisable, if not absolutely necessary, to allow a little time to elapse for the gum to become set by evaporation and for moisture to be absorbed by the tlbers of the paper, and to accomplish this result a considerable length of paper must be maintained between the gumming apparatus and the box to be covered, which will vary with the length of the strip to be applied to thebox and the quality of paper. It has heretofore been customary in machines of this class to support the paper after it leaves the gum-box by a series of rolls, rods, or similar contrivances, part of which are necessarily brought into contact with the gummed surface of the paper.

In my improved machine I elevate the go mbox far enough above the former and with its edge G in a vertical plane, which is, preferably, slightly in advance of the rod I.-I, so that the paper strip B after leaving the edge G will be suspended by its own weight and without the necessity of any supporting rolls or rods, and as it is drawn over the gum-roll the ungulnmed surface of the paper only is brought into contact with the guide-rod II.

By locating the gnidea'od H at some distance below and slightly beneath the scraping-edge G, from which the paper is delivered, or, in other words, placing the scraping-edge Gr slightly in advance of the vertical plane containing the rod H, I cause the weight of the paper strip which is suspended from the edge G to be carried byits own weight against the rod H, so that when the paper strip has been severed by the cutting-blades the end will remain in a convenient position to be seized by the operator and drawn forward over the former I to be applied to the next succeeding box. If the rod II were located in advance of the edge G the lower end of the paper strip, as it was drawn by the operator, would be brought in advance of a vertical plane, and when the strip was severed by the cutting-blades the Weight of the paper strip would cause it to draw back, withdrawing its free end.

I am aware that the box-covering machines heretofore made comprise a support for a paper-roll, a gum-box, a gum-roll journaled in the gum-box, a scraping-edge forscraping the surplus from the paper, and guide-rods or rolls by which the gummed strip of paper is conducted to the former, and I do not claim broadly a machine comprising these several parts; but by the relative location of the support for the paper-roll, gum-box C, guide-rod H, and former I, I am able to secure the advantages hereinbe'fore pointed out, allowing a long stretch of paper between the paperroll and the gum-box and a sufficient length of paper between the gum-boxand the former to secure the requisite tempering of the gummed paper and obviating the multiplicity of rolls and guide-rods for supporting the paper during the tempering-process, and also keeping the gummed surface of the paper out of contact with any portion of the machine between the gum-box and former and cansing the free end of the paper strip when severed by the cutting mechanism to remain in position to be seized-by the operator and applied to the succeeding box. w

The paper-roll is supported upon the brackets B in substantially the same horizontal plane as the rod H, in order to increase the distance between the paper-roll and the gu deheld in saidlugs, plate A uniting the upper ends of said rods,-brackets B, B projecting from said frame-work for supporting a roll of paper, gum box 0 held between said vertical rods A and having its edge G adapted to scrape the gummed surface of the paper, gum roll- D journaled in said box, rod H supported by the frame-work and located vertically below said scraping edge G, whereby the strip of 'gumrned paperas it leaves said edge G, is held by gravity against said rod H with its ungummed-side in contact therewith, substantially as described.

former I placed below and in front of said rod H and means for severing the paper strip, substantially as described.

3. In a paper box machine, the combination with a gum-box provided with a scraping edge G, of the lovers E, E, weighted roll F, carried by the free ends in said levers and arranged to ride upon the paper strip in its passage from the gum roll to said scraping edge and be raised by an increase in the tension of the paper strip, whereby the angle of the paper strip is varied as it approaches the scraping edge, substantially as described.

4. In a paper box machine, the combination with the gum roll and gum-box of the levers E, E, pivoted at one end to said gum-box and carrying the rod E and roll F at their free ends, between which the paper strip passes, and spurs L, L, by which said lovers are supported in an upright position with the rod E above the gum roll, substantially as described.

5. In apaper box machine, the combination of a frame-work A, brackets B, B projecting from said frame-work for supporting a roll of paper, vertical parallel rods A held by said frame-work, gum box 0 adj ustably held between said vertical rods A gum roll D journaled in said gum box, brackets B carried by said gum box and a guide rod B held by said brackets, substantially as described.

Dated this 30th day of September, 1892.

' CLARENCE W. HOBBS.

Witnesses: I

RUFUS B. FOWLER, EMMA KESTER. 

